be young but talented as sophomore Flores will be counted
on to step in and be a leader for the Eagles.

MERCEDES TIGERS

ENROLLMENT: 1,487 ( 6)

2012 RECORD: 8-3 4A Div. II Bi-District Playoffs
THE COACH: Michael Uribe
THE PLAYERS: Isaiah Garza (Sr., QB), Gilbert Vela (Sr., ATH),
Roel Garcia (Jr., DB), Jacob Perez (Sr., LB), Rick Hinojosa
(Sr., DL), T.J. De La Cerda (Sr., DB), Javier Banda (Sr., OL),
Brandon Ayala (Sr., DL), Roel Garcia (Jr., DB), Jordan Aguilar
(Jr., DB)
THE WORD: Coach Uribe’s squad improved from four wins
in 2011 to eight wins in 2012, but the playoff result was
still the same as the Tigers fell in the bi-district round of the
playoffs. Garza is back to pace the offense after 1600 total
yards of offense a year ago and 17 total touchdowns. Vela
is a versatile playmaker who is capable of lining up at running back or receiver and making an impact for the Tigers.
Only one starter returns on the offensive line in Banda so
that’ll be an area the coaching staff will need to address if
Mercedes wants to keep their playoff streak alive. Mercedes
should be improved on the defensive side of the ball as several key contributors are back led by Garica in the secondary
who 57 tackles, an amazing 12 forced fumbles, 3 fumble
recoveries and five blocked kicks a year ago. Perez and
Hinojosa will lead the front seven as those two combined for
135 tackles a year ago.

MISSION VETERANS MEMORIAL
PATRIOTS
ENROLLMENT: 1,902 ( 3)
2012 RECORD: 6-5 4A Div. I Bi-District Playoffs
THE COACH: David Gilpin
THE PLAYERS: Santos Villareal (Jr., QB), Petie Ayala (Sr., WR),
John Garcia (Jr., RB), Ian Farias (Sr., OL), Jorge Cavazos (Sr.,
K/P), Julian Meza (Sr., DB), Jerry Garcia (Sr., DL), Andrew
Ochoa (Sr., LB), Steven Ocana (Sr., LB), Adan Ruiz (Sr., DB),
Bobby Tovar (So., WR), Joel Mares (Jr., LB), Adrian Flores (Jr.,
LB)
THE WORD: After a disappointing 2-8 season in 2011, the
Patriots bounced back with a 6-5 campaign and a playoff
appearance. Now Coach Gilpin’s squad has designs on the
district championship and an extended stay in the playoffs.
QB Villareal is back after a sensational sophomore season
where he earned 32-4A Offensive MVP honors as he accounted for 28 total touchdowns and was the team’s leading
rusher with over 1100 yards. Three starters are back on the
offensive line led by Farias so the staff is simply looking to
develop depth as it stands right now. Garcia was a backup a
year ago, but was impressive when he got a chance with 535
yards and 5 touchdowns on just 84 carries. Ayala is the top
receiver returning with 42 receptions. Several key defenders
return as well for Mission Vets, Garcia is the top returning
tackler as he posted 96 tackles and 4 sacks. Linebacker
looks like a position of strength with Ochoa ( 87 tackles and
4 sacks) and Ocana ( 53 tackles and 4 sacks). With that
experience returning Coach Gilpin thinks the defense will
vastly improved from a year ago.

THE WORD: Roma has seven starters back on both sides
of the ball and hopes are high the Gladiators can make
their first ever trip to the playoffs. (RHS has been playing
football since 1990). RB Solis who earned all-state honors
is back to lead the Gladiators offense after rushing for over
2000 yards as a junior. Garza who was the QB of a district
championship JV squad will take over the Roma pistol based
offense. Hinojosa and Hernandez are the top returning offensive lineman returning and they’ll be a force in the run
blocking game along with TE Grimaldo who is also a very
good defensive lineman as evidenced by starting for three
years on the defensive line. Beltran and Guerrero are all-district performers at DL and LB respectively and should
give the Gladiators a good defense against the run. Flores
spends time on both sides of the ball, but he’s a force in the
secondary where he’s started since his sophomore season.

PHARR VALLEY VIEW TIGERSENROLLMENT: 1,302 ( 8)2012 RECORD: 6-4THE COACH: Baldo PenaTHE PLAYERS: Jose Melendez (Sr., OL), Ricky Lozano (Sr., OL),Jared Villegas (Sr., WR), Jose Soto (Sr., K/P), ChristopherZavala (Sr., DB), Arnulfo Marin (Sr., DL), Mario Nacimceno(Sr., DB), Christian Varela (Jr., DL), Daniel Palma (Sr., DL),Jonathan Ruelas (Sr., OL), Hector Jiminez (Sr., QB), IramHernandez (Jr., RB), Chris Castillo (Sr., DB)THE WORD: Valley View completed their first ever winningseason in school history and they promptly had to replacetheir head coach as Christian Navarro left to take the AD jobat Edcouch-Elsa. In steps former OC Baldo Pena and he’lllook to continue the momentum that’s been building for thiseighth year program. The Tigers will once again run the Slot-Toffense and with an experienced offensive line led by Me-lendez and Lozano the Tigers will have the ability to run thefootball. The question will be who will tote the rock for CoachPena? Hernandez is a talented back but he lacks experienceat the varsity level. Defensively, the Tigers return six startersled by a talented secondary with Zavala, Nacimceno andCastillo. Valley View will be a bit younger this season, but thetalent and winning attitude should carry over as the Tigersinch closer to their first ever trip to the playoffs.

RIO GRANDE CITY RATTLERS
ENROLLMENT: 2,003 ( 2)
2012 RECORD: 1-9
THE COACH: Carlos Longoria
THE PLAYERS: Jose Castelo (Sr., RB), Damian Muniz (Sr., WR),
Noe Gonzalez, III (Sr. QB), Cesar Martinez (Sr., TE), Christian
Longoria (Jr., WR), Albert Pena (Sr., DB), Alex Castaneda (Jr.,
DL), Luis Lucero (Jr., DL), J.D. Hernandez (Sr., WR), Pedro
Chapa (Sr., DL)
THE WORD: After advancing to the playoffs in 2011, the Rattlers fell off in a big way in 2012 winning just a single game.
Coach Longoria believes this version of Rio Grande City is
much more equipped to be back in the playoff mix for the
2013 season as the Rattlers have a strong senior class. QB
Gonzalez will lead the way for RGC after an all-district campaign a year ago, his core of receivers on paper looks to be
among the best in the district as Longoria, Hernandez and
TE Martinez all return. The ground game will be outstanding with 32-4A Newcomer of the Year Castelo returning to
lead the way. Rio Grande City will need to replace several
solid lineman that have graduated and that will be a point
of emphasis for the staff during the spring and summer. On
defense, the Rattlers do have some work to do especially
at linebacker and in the secondary where the Rattlers took
some hits due to graduation. The defensive line should be
strong with three returning starters in Castaneda, Lucero
and Chapa all leading the way. The Rattlers will be hard
pressed to get into the playoffs, but expect major improvement in their overall record.

PSJA SOUTHWEST JAVELINAS
ENROLLMENT: 1,722 ( 5)
2012 RECORD: 2-8
THE COACH: Jesus Reyes
THE PLAYERS: Jessie Villareal (Sr., RB), Jonathan Soto (Sr.,
OL), Gilbert Galvan (Sr., OL), Hector Ortega (Jr., RB), Luis
Gutierrez (Jr., TE), German Beltran (Sr., DL), Darren Estrada
(So., DB), Jorge Sanchez (Jr., DL), Jorge Cantu (Jr., DB), Omar
Alejos (Sr., LB), Martin Saldana (Sr., LB), Joe Garcia (Sr., DB)
THE WORD: As expected it was a difficult debut for the Javelinas who were only able to post a pair of wins in their varsity
debut a year ago. The program did get off to a tremendous
start winning their first ever game over Brownsville Pace 35-
12, then Southwest followed that up with a 20-12 win over
Edinburg Vela. However, reality set in and Southwest lost
their final eight games. Now with every varsity player back
in the fold, the coaching staff is hoping PSJA Southwest can
earn not only their first ever district win but potentially be
in the hunt for the playoffs. The Southwest ground attack
should be solid with a pair of all-district running backs returning in Villareal and Ortega. The defense on paper looks
to be a strength, especially a young but talented secondary
led by Estrada who earned all-district honors as a freshman.
Southwest is still developing as a program but Coach Reyes
has this group on the right track, it’ll certainly be interesting
to see where they land in February realignment.

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